A REGULAR MEETING OF THE YORK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WAS HELD

AT YORK HALL, 301 MAIN STREET, YORKTOWN, VA.

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2006

REGULAR SESSION

7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: MR. R. PAGE MINTER, VICE CHAIRMAN

MRS. BARBARA S. HAYWOOD

MRS. LINDA S. MEADOWS

MR. BARRENT M. HENRY

ABSENT: MR. MARK A. MEDFORD, CHAIR

ALSO PRESENT: DR. STEVEN R. STAPLES, DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT

MR. RICHARD M. HIXSON, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

DR. JAMES R. TUCKER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION

MR. DENNIS R. JARRETT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

DR. CARL JAMES, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

DR. SUZANNE CREASEY, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

DR. JENNIFER PARISH, DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT

DR. LUCIA SEBASTIAN, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SERVICES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

BETSY OVERKAMP-SMITH, COMMUNITY PUBLIC RELATIONS

OFFICER

Mr. Minter opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ethan Blevins, a fifth grade student at Bethel Manor Elementary School led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS:

Seniors of the Month: BHS- Kyle Polk, GHS-Lauren Rossi, THS- Adam Farrar and YHS- Long Vinh. Kyle Polk was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.

Student Service Awards:

Owen Rousselle BMES and Jonathan West, YRA.

Community Volunteers:

Mrs. Jeannie Garay received the January Volunteer of the Month, for Bethel Manor Elementary School. Mrs. Anna Fuit received the January Volunteer of the Month, for York River Academy.

Mr. Minter, Vice Chair, declared a recess at 7:25 p.m. to meet the student and adult award recipients. Mr. Minter, Vice Chair reconvened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

PRESENTATIONS:

Construction Report – Jim Wilkins, Director of Maintenance and Facilities Report, gave the following construction update:

· YMS- Initial meetings with staff are ongoing as part of the design process.

· YHS- Work is going well. Windows should start across the building’s front in a couple of weeks. Duct work and installation of heat pumps are approximately 80% complete. Approximately 40% of the geothermal wells are installed. Demolition is 95% complete. Project is ahead or on schedule and may finish up to a month early.

· SBO- Project is approximately a month behind schedule. However, almost all materials are on site and work is beginning to pick up. Duct work is being installed in the old building. Removal of the roof has started. The basement walls are complete. There is plenty of time for the project to make up the month and still finish by September 1, allowing the move back to occur in September 2006.

· GHS- The band room is complete and the move in will happen tomorrow. Only a few punch list items remain.

· THS- The gym is ahead or the contract completion date and should be completed by the end of March, but no later than Spring Break.

Board Goals Update: Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent gave a brief summary stating that the Board just reviewed their goals at their retreat on January 7, 2006. Dr. Staples noted four goals; Increased Academic Achievement; High Expectations; High Quality, Diverse Staff; Healthy, Safe Environments and Communication. Dr. Staples also noted that most Board Goals were met at mid-term and second half of goals are underway for completion by 2008.

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS

Doris M. Flood spoke in favor of tuition waiver for children living outside York County, Portia Townsend, spoke in favor of tuition waivers for employees living outside of York County and provided signatures and a petition, Portia Townsend, THS student spoke in favor of tuition waivers for children of employees living outside York County.

MATTERS BY BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Henry stated that he supports reading programs such as “Read Across America” presented by the YEA tonight and also stated that anything we can do to make reading a high priority part of our educational program is great. Mr. Henry also noted the young lady who spoke under “Comments of Citizens” about tuition waivers for children of employees living outside York County and noted how expensive it is to buy land in York County. Mrs. Meadows stated that she attended the GHS Bandroom ribbon cutting and how great the new facility looks. Mrs. Meadows also stated that she attended the Special Education Advisory Council meeting last week where information was provided on planning of care for children of parents unable to provide such care. Mrs. Meadows spoke in support of Youth Community service clubs and noted that the Science Fair is scheduled for February 1. Mrs. Haywood noted that the School Board Retreat was held on Saturday, January 7 and that it was eight hours well spent. Mrs. Haywood also noted that she attended the Martin Luther King ACT-SO Program last week in Williamsburg. Mr. Minter noted that the Grafton High Bandroom was a great accomplishment originally scheduled for completion in 2010. Mr. Minter thanked the Virginia Lottery for funds which allowed early completion. Mr. Minter stated that the General Assembly’s focus is on transportation this session and urged citizens to lobby on behalf of public education. Mr. Minter also stated that New Horizons will publish their proposed FY07 budget very soon.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Mrs. Haywood summarized the items under Financial Matters.

Approval of Claims Certified for Payment.
Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 06-04 Authorizing Specific Procurement.

A motion was made by Mrs. Haywood and seconded by Mr. Henry to approve Financial Matters. Motion passed 4-0.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Mrs. Meadows summarized the items on the Consent Calendar.

Approval of Previous Minutes: December 5, 2005, work session, December 12, 2006 Regular Meeting and the January 7, 2006 Annual Meeting.
Personnel Actions as amended
Donations

A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to adopt the Consent Calendar as amended. Motion passed 4-0.

ACTION ITEMS

a. A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to approve a Proclamation for Career Technical Week, February 12 – 18, 2006. Motion passed 4-0.

b. A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to approve a Proclamation for National School Counseling Week, February 6 – 10, 2006. Motion passed 4-0.

c. A motion was made by Mrs. Haywood and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to approve the Read Across America Proclamation. Motion passed 4-0. Dr. Staples asked “the Cat in the Hat” to come forward along with the others who are encouraging reading in our schools. The Cat in the Hat urged everyone to get involved in supporting children’s literacy in our community – for each school: The YEA and the Division are challenging you to bring in 102 guest readers between February 2 and March 2. - For Board Members: You are challenged to spend an hour a week in classrooms reading between February 2 and March 2. – All administrative staff are challenged to spend an hour a week in the classroom reading between February 2 and March 2. – All parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are challenged to read with their children at home, and to come into your child’s school to read with students there.

d. A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to authorize the Superintendent to sign agreements with Verizon to purchase telecommunication services via state contracts from Verizon. Motion passed 4-0.

e. A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2006 Special Meeting. Motion passed 3-0. Mr. Henry abstained.

f. A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mr. Henry to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2005 Special Meeting. Motion passed 3-0. Mrs. Haywood abstained.

g. A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to authorize the Division Superintendent to execute a “Design-Build” contract with Oyster Point Construction Company for a field house to be located on Bailey Field for a total cost of $582,000; said contract procured by the York Purchasing Agent pursuant to York County Purchasing Ordinance sections implementing the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002. Motion passed 4-0.

DISCUSSION – None

FIRST READING – None

SECOND READING – None

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Steven R. Staples, Ed.D., Superintendent stated:

· our clerk, Mrs. Staton is absent tonight due to illness.

· the February 27, 2006 Regular School Board Meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, March 6, 2006.

· that reduction of tuition rates is based on the FY07 Operating Budget –v- capacity.

ANY MATTER NOT ABOVE SET FORTH:

Mr. Minter asked if there was anyone in the audience who did not get to speak under Comments of Citizens. Mr. Graber, parent of a YHS student asked the Board to consider years of service as the threshold required for employee’s tuition relief. Mr. Graber also spoke on energy policy issues and solar/renewal sources stating that Federal incentives are available for the next two years.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

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R. PAGE MINTER, VICE CHAIR

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MARILYN V. STATON, CLERK